Table construction



Aug. 2, 1955 K. F. DIEHM 2,714,540

TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 21, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.KENNETH D/E HM BY WV M ATTO R N575 2, 1955 K. F. DIEHM 2,714,540

TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed 001:. 21, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United StatesPatent TABLE CONSTRUCTION Kenneth F. Diehm, Temple, Pa, assignor toTextile Trimming & Boarding Machine 00., Reading, Pa., a corporation ofPennsylvania Application October 21, 1954, Serial No. 463,707

12 Claims. (Ci. 31-11) My invention relates to a new and improved table.

One of the .objects of my invention is to provide a table which has aframe, which may have metal parts, which can be easily assembled. Whensaid frame-parts are assembled, they are held securely in their selectedpositions, thus providing a strong and rigid assembled frame.

Another object of my invention is to provide a frame which has a shellor casing for releasably holding the sections of a sectional table-top,so that the table-top sections can be inserted into said casing and saidtabletop-sections can be removed from said casing, without disassemblingthe parts of the frame. The table-topsections can be made of wood, fibreor other suitable material. ltvis frequently desirable to make thetable-top of wood or fibre or other material which wears rapidly as whenthe table is used as a cutting table so that it is necessary to removethe table-top and to replace it with a new table-top. However, thepresent invention provides-for reversing the table-top to substantiallydouble the :usefultable-top life.

As later explained, the improved shell or casing may be ;of rectangularshape, with vertical longitudinal marginal walls and vertical lateralmarginal walls. Said casing is open and unobstructed at its top, save atthe end walls of said casing, which are provided with longitudinalholding members which longitudinally overlie the supporting wall orwalls of the casing. These longitudinal holding members extend inwardlyand longitudinally towards the lateral median line of said casing.

The table-top may consist of two rectangular endsections, and :anintermediate section or bar.

Each end-section may be made of reduced height at its outer lateraledge, in order to :provide a lateral fin-or rib .of less thickness thanthe body of the end-section. This lateral .r-ib can be inserted underthe respective longitudinal holding member, when the respectiveendsection is held upwardly tilted relative to the supporting .wall orwalls of the casing. The respective tilted endsection can then be turneddownwardly into final position.

In said final position, the end-section tightly fits in the respectiveend-part of the casing. After both end-sections have thus beeninsertedinto their respective final positions in the casing, there is aspace between the inner or proximate lateral edges of said twoend-sections. This space is filled by downwardly inserting anintermediate table-top-section or bar .into the casing, through themedian open top portion of said casing. The three assembledtable-.top-sections then fill said casing tightly. Fastening means maybe provided for fixing one or more of said tabletop-sections releasablyto the horizontal supporting wall of the casing. These fastening meansmay be screws which extend upwardly from the supporting wall of thecasing into saidinterrnediate table-top section. The points of thesescrews are located below the top of said intermediate table-top-section.

In this embodiment, the frame has four legs, which are located at thecorners of a rectangle. Two lateral supports for the end-sections of thetable-top are fixed to laterally alined legs. The top faces of theselateral supports form part of the horizontal supporting wall for-theend-sections of the table top. The shell or casing includes twolongitudinal members which are fixed to said legs. An intermediatelateral support is fixed to said longitudinal members. The top face ofsaid intermediate lateral support provides a part of said horizontalsupporting wall for the proximate or inner ends of the end-sections ofthe table top and for said intermediate bar. Said longitudinal membersalso have horizontal flanges which extend in front of the front legs andin rear of the rear legs. Said horizontal flanges form parts of saidhorizontal supporting wall for said end-sections and said bar.

Other objects and features and advantages of my invention are describedin the annexed description and drawings, which illustrate a preferredembodiment.

Figure l is a perspective view of the parts of the frame, separated fromeach other.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the assembled frame, showing a part ofone end-section of the table-top. The representation of one end of theframe is partially broken, in order to iliustrate the assembledconstruction.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a corner of the assembled frame.

The parts of the frame are made of metal or other suitable material.

The frame has four identical legs '1. These legs 1 are channel-shaped.Each leg 1 has three flanges, namely, flanges 1 1t and Ir. Theseflanges, like the other flanges later described herein, are flat orplanar. 'The vertical flanges 17 are designated as longitudinal flanges.The vertical flanges 1t and 11' are designated as lateral flanges. Eachflange 1 has four holes la, and two holes 1b. 'Each outer lateral flange12 has a hole 10. Each inner lateral flange 1r also has a hole 1c, andadditional holes 1d. Fig. 3 shows longitudinal fastening members Re. Theshank of eachfastening member Re extends through a respective hole 10'of a respective inner flange 1r.

Each leg 1 is associated with a foot 2. The feet 2 are identical. ,Eachfoot 2 has a channel-shaped vertical body which has a verticallongitudinal flange 2 and two vertical and lateral flanges. Each flange2 has a vertical slot or hole 212. Each flange 2 is integral with abottom and horizontal flange 2a whose bottom is flush with the bottom of,the channel-shaped body of the respective foot 2.

.Each laterally alined pair of legs 1 is associated with achannel-shaped brace 5. Each brace 5 has a horizontal flange 5c and twovertical flanges 512. Each flange 5b has two holes 5a. The braces 5 areidentical.

Each laterally alined pair of legs 1 is also associated with a lateralend-support 4. These lateral end-supports 4 are identical with theintermediate and lateral support 4m. Each said support 4 and 4m has ahorizontal channelshaped leg 4t and two vertical channel-shaped legs 42.The top horizontal flange of each horizontal leg 4t has three slots orholes 4a. The vertical and longitudinal flange 411 of each vertical leg4e has four holes 4b. The tops of said legs 4t and the tops of the legs1 support the outer endsof the-end-sections of the table top.

The shell or casing comprises twolateral shell-members 6 and twolongitudinal shell-members 3.

The lateral shell-members 6 are identical. Each has a horizontal flange.611 and a vertical flange 617. Each flange 6a constitutes a holdingmember for the tab]. atop.

Each end of horizontal flange .6.a has .a vertical and downwardly bentand fiatjlug 6e, (and an angular recess i or shoulder 6f. Y

7 screws, etc.

'that the front longitudinal shell-member 3 has two holes 3k, which areomitted in the rear longitudinal shellmember 3.

Each shell-member 3 has a bottom inwardly extending horizontal flange3a, which has two holes 32 at each end thereof; a lower vertical flange3b, which has four holes 3 in its median part, and two holes 3g at eachend;

'an upper, outwardly extending horizontal flange or ledge 3c, which hasend cutouts or slots 3h; and a top or outer vertical flange 3d. Saidflange 3d of the front longitudinal shell-member 3 has an internallythreaded hole 3k at each end thereof.

The frame also has a front longitudinal flat bar 3, which is associatedwith two spacing locks 8a.

The frame also has four identical corner braces, 7. Each corner brace 7has a vertical triangular flange 7w; a longitudinal top horizontalflange 7h which has two holes 7a; and a vertical and lateral flange 70which has two holes 7b.

The sectionaLtable-top has identical plate-like endsections 90 and 9,and an intermediate section or bar 911.

Each lateral edge of each end-section 9c and 9 is provided with top andbottom lateral recesses 9a. These recesses 9a are identical. Each recess9a has a vertical planar wall and a horizontal planar wall. Each lateralThe planar top face of bar 9b is in the same horizontal plane as the topfaces of the bodies of the end-sections 9 and 9c.

Assembly of table The invention is not limited to the order of assemblyof the parts of the frame which is stated below. Fastening members ofany type maybe used to connect the parts of the frame to each other,such as rivets, bolts, If bolts are used, the shank of each bolt isprovided with the usual holding-nut. The parts of the frame may be fixedreleasably or permanently to each other.

The vertical channel-shaped body of each foot 2 fits closely within therespective channel-shaped leg 1. Fastening members R connect each foot 2to its leg 1. The shank of each fastening member R extends throughrespective holes 1b and slot 212, the latter affording verticaladjustability to the foot.

The ends of each lower and vertical and longitudinal flange 3b of eachlongitudinal shell-member 3 overlie and abut parts of the flanges 1 oftwo longitudinally alined legs 1. The longitudinal lugs 6c of thelateral she1l members 6 overlie and abut the other parts of said lon-'gitudinally alined flanges If. The adjacent vertical edges of flanges 3band lugs 60 abut each other.

The lateral edges of the horizontal flanges 3a abut the respective innerflanges 1r, thus providing longitudinal braces between thelongitudinally alined legs 1.

Each hole 3g is laterally alined with a respective hole 1a and arespective hole 4b of an end support 4.

Each hole 6d is laterally alined with a respective hole 1a and arespective hole 4b of an end support 4.

The shank of each fastening member Ra extends through respective holes3g, 1a, 4b. a

The shank of each fastening member Rb extends through respective holes6d, 1a, 4b.

The fastening members Ra and Rb thus fixed the longitudinalshell-members 3, the lateral shell-members 6, the legs 1 and the flanges4h of the end-supports 4 to each other.

Each hole 3 is laterally alined with a respective hole 4b of theintermediate support 4m.

The shank of each fastening member Rc extends through respective holes 3and 4b, thus fixing the flanges 3b to the flanges 4h of the intermediatesupporting member 4m. 7

i The ends of the supporting members 4 fit snugly in the legs 1.

The flanges 4b of the end-supports 4 abut the inner faces of flanges If.

The flanges 4h of the intermediate support 4m abut the flanges 3b.

The triangular vertical flange 7w of each corner brace 7 is in alongitudinal plane. The vertical flange 7c of each brace 7 is fixed to arespective inner flange 1r by fastening members Rc, whose horizontalshanks extend through respective alined holes 7b and 1d. Each horizontalflange 7b is fixed to a flange 3a by fastening members 'Rd, whosevertical shanks extend through respective alined holes 7a and 32.

The braces 5 are fixed to inner flanges 1t and Ir by fastening membersRe, whose shanks extend through respective alined holes 5a and 1c.

The bar 8 and its spacer blocks 8a are fixed to the front flange 3a byscrews 85 which are screwed into the internal threads of holes 3k.

The top planar faces of flanges 3c and of the top flanges of horizontallegs 41 are in the same horizontal plane. T he tops of legs 1 are insaid horizontal plane. In this embodiment, each end-section 9c and 9 issupported upon the two longitudinal horizontal flanges 3c and also uponthe top surfaces of the flanges of the horizontal leg 4t of therespective end-support 4, and also upon a respective part of the topsurface of the flange of leg 42 of the intermediate support 4m. Thebottom of bar 9b is supported on the top surface of the'flange of leg 4tof said'intermediate support 4m. 7

As above noted, the free edge of each holding member I v or flange 6ahas a head 6h which interfits with the Wall of the respective upperrecess 9a, and each lateral edge of each end section 9c and 9 hasidentical upper and lower recesses 9a, to provide identical ribs F ofreduced thickness at each lateral edge.

Since the recesses 9a and theribs F are identical, each 7 end-section 9cand 9 can be assembled with a head 6h at either lateral edge of therespective end-section.

The respective rib F can be inverted between the respective head 6h andthe respective top horizontal flange of the respective leg 4t, while therespective end-section or 9 is held tilted upwardly at its inner lateraledge rel ative to the horizontal plane.. The respective end-section 90or 9 can then be turned to a horizontal position in which head 6hengages and interfits with the respective upper recess 9a, and saidend-section is thus fully inserted in final position. After bothend-sections 9c and 9 have been inserted in final position, the bar 9bis vertically applied in holding position.

If desired, ordinary sharp prongs can be struck inwardly from theflanges 3d, to be embedded in the longitudinal vertical walls of theend-sections 9c and 9; These holding prongs are not shown, because theyare well known per se.

Ordinary sharp-pointed screws may be optionally inserted upwardlythrough the slots 4a of the intermediate support 4m, to engage the bodyof bar 9b, in order to hold bar 9b in holding position Additional screwsmay be optionally inserted upwardly through the slots 4a of V theend-support 4. The tops of these screws are below the top surfaces ofthe sections 90, 9b and 9.

When the bar 9b is removed, the end-sections .90 and 9 can be turnedupwardly at their inner and adjacent lat- 5 eral edges, until theirouter lateral ribs F are released from heads 611.

Hence the sectional table-top can be easily removed and replaced,without taking the frame apart. Further, as both faces of the endsections are identical, the end sections may be reversed to exposeeither face upwards, as desired. Removal of the end sections, as forreversal or replacement is facilitated by the cutouts 3h into which atool may be inserted for displacing each end section away from itsassociated lateral shell member.

The ends of bar 9b extend to the vertical flanges 3b.

Numerous changes and omissions and additions can be made relative to theabove preferred embodiment, without departing from the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

l. A table construction comprising a pair of spaced upstanding frontlegs, a pair of spaced upstanding rear legs in laterally spaced alinedrelation with said front legs, a pair of spaced longitudinal shellmembers each extending between and secured to the upper portions of onepair of said front and rear legs, said longitudinal shell members eachbeing shaped to define a ledge having an upstanding outer flange, a pairof spaced lateral shell members each extending between and secured tothe upper end portions of a laterally alined pair of said legs, aholding member extending inwardly from each of said lateral shellmembers and spaced over the adjacent portions of said ledges, a pair oflongitudinally spaced table top end sections supported on said ledgesand having their opposite longitudinal edges in engagement with saidupstanding flanges to restrain lateral movement of said end sections, alateral rib on each lateral edge of said end sections, the distal pairof said ribs each extending into the space between the adjacent holdingmember and its underlying ledge portions, the proximate pair of saidribs being spaced from each other, and an intermediate table top sectiondisposed between said end sections overlying said proximate ribs andsecured to said ledges, said intermediate sections thus combining withsaid holding members and vertical flanges to fixedly maintain endsections in position on said ledges.

2. A table construction according to claim 1, in combination with a pairof lateral end supports each extending between and secured to the upperend portions of a laterally aligned pair of said legs for supportingengagement with said distal pair of end section ribs, and anintermediate lateral support extending between and secured to saidlongitudinal shell members medially thereof for supporting engagementwith said proximate end section ribs, whereby said end sections arefully supported about their peripheral margins.

3. A table construction according to claim 1, wherein the upper surfacesof said upstanding flanges, holding members and intermediate section areflush with the upper surfaces of said end sections to provide a flattable top surface.

4. A table construction comprising a pair of spaced upstanding frontlegs, a pair of spaced upstanding rear legs in laterally spacedalinement with said front legs, a pair of spaced longitudinal shellmembers each extending between and secured to the upper portions of onepair of said front and rear legs, said longitudinal shell members eachbeing shaped to define an outwardly extending hori zontal ledge flushwith the upper ends of the associated legs and an upstanding outerflange on said ledge, a pair of spaced lateral end supports eachextending between and secured to the upper end portions of a laterallyalined pair of said legs and having its upper surface flush with theupper ends of its associated legs, a pair of spaced lateral shellmembers each extending between and secured to the upper end portions ofa laterally alined pair of said legs outwards of the adjacent endsupport, a holding member extending inwards from each of said lateralshell members and spaced over the adjacent portions of 6 saidledges andthe associated end support, a pair of longitudinally spaced plate-liketable top end sections each seated on said ledges and the adjacent endsupport and having its opposite longitudinal edges inengagement withsaid upstanding flanges to restrain lateralmovement of said endsections, the upper surfaces of each of said end sections being providedwith recesses extending along its lateral edges and defining lateraledge portions of reduced thickness, the distal pair of said lateral edgeportions each extending between the adjacent holding member and theunderlying end support for restraining upward and outward end sectionmovement, the proximate pair of said lateral edge portions being spacedfrom each other, and an intermediate table top section disposed betweensaid end sections overlying said proximate lateral edge portions andsecured to said ledges for preventing inward and upward movement of saidend sections, said intermediate section, holding members and upstandingflanges thus combining to fixedly maintain said end sections inposition-on said ledges and end supports.

5. A table construction according to claim 4, in combination with anintermediate lateral support secured between said longitudinal shellmembers medially thereof for supporting engagement with the proximatelateral edge portions of said end sections, whereby said end sectionsare fully supported about their peripheral margins.

6. A table construction according to claim 4, wherein the upper surfacesof said upstanding flanges, holding members and intermediate sectionsare flush with the upper surfaces of said end sections to provide a flattable top surface.

7. In a table construction, a pair of spaced upstanding front legs, apair of spaced upstanding rear legs in laterally spaced alined relationwith said front legs, a front longitudinal shell member extendingbetween and having its end portions in engagement with the frontsurfaces of said front legs, a rear longitudinal shell member extendingbetween and having its end portions in engagement with the rear surfacesof said rear legs, a pair of lateral supports each extending between alaterally alined pair of front and rear legs and having its end portionsin engagement with the rear and front surfaces thereof, respectively,fastener means extending through each of said legs and connected to theadjacent end portions of the associated longitudinal shell members andlateral supports, a pair of lateral shell members each extending betweena laterally alined pair of front and rear legs and having its endportions in engagement with the front and rear surfaces thereof,respectively, and additional fastener means extending through each ofsaid legs and connected said longitudinal shell members and carried bysaid legs,

a holding member extending inwardly from each of said lateral shellmembers and spaced over the adjacent portions of said ledges, a pair oflongitudinally spaced table top end sections seated on said ledges andhaving their opposite longitudinal edges in engagement with saidupstanding flanges to restrain lateral movement of said end sections, alateral rib on each lateral edge of said end sections, the distal pairof said ribs each extending into the space between the adjacent holdingmember and its underlying ledge portions, the proximate pair of saidribs being spaced from each other, and an intermediate table top sectiondisposed between said end sections overlying said proximate ribs andsecured to said ledges, said intermediate section thus combining withsaid holding 5 7 members and vertical flanges to fixedly maintain saidend sections in position on said ledges.

9. A table construction according to claim 8, in combination with a pairof lateral end supports each disposed below one of said holding membersextending between and secured to said longitudinal shell members forsupporting engagement with said distal pair of end section ribs, and anintermediate support member extending between and secured tolongitudinal shell members medially thereof for supporting engagementwith said proximate end section ribs, whereby said end sections arefully ported about their peripheral margins.

10. A table construction according to claim 8, wherein the uppersurfaces of said upstanding flanges, holding members and intermediatesections are flush with the upper surfaces of said end sections toprovide a flat table top surface. 7

11. In a table top construction, a pair of spaced longitudinal shellmembers adapted to be carried by depending legs, each of saidlongitudinal shell members being formed with an outwardly extendingledge having an upstanding outer flange, a pair of lateral end supportsextending between the end portions of said longitudinal shell membersand having their upper surfaces substantially flush with said ledges, apair of spaced, lateral shell flanges to restrain lateral movement ofsaid end sections, the upper surface of each of said end sections beingprovided with recesses extending along its lateral edges and defininglateral edge portions of reduced thickness, the distal pair of saidlateral edge portions each extending between the adjacent holding memberand the underlying end support for preventing upward and outwardmovement of said end sections, the proximate pair of said reduced endsection portions being spaced from each other, and an intermediate tabletop section disposed between said end sections overlying said proximatelateral edge portions and secured to said ledges for preventing inwardand upward movement of said end sections, said intermediate section,holding members and upstanding flanges thus combining to fixedlymaintain said end sections in position on said ledges and end supports.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein each of said end sections isprovided on its lower surface with recesses extending along its lateraledges, said end sections thus being reversible to position said lastmentioned recesses for receiving said intermediate section and holdingmembers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNETED STATES PATENTSMerrill June 20, 1939

